Hello!

My husband and I are trying to plan a 7-10 day trip to Mexico either during the Day of the Dead celebration (November 1st) or over New Year's Eve (but AFTER Christmas). Tentative dates: October 30th to November 6th/9th OR December 27th to January 3rd/6th. We would most likely fly into Mexico City from Austin or San Antonio, Texas and then bus around to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, and other colonial towns. Would you happen to have any knowledge or opinions in regards to which time of the year would be best for cost and weather? Does everything shut down between Christmas and New Year's Eve? Are there just as many things to do?

Also, IF POSSIBLE, we would also like to take 2-3 days in a beach locale. Any suggestions from that area (DF, Central Mexico, et al.)? Bus or fly? We have only been to Mexico once...for our honeymoon. We stayed at Maroma on the Riviera Maya; as well as in Playa del Carmen. We would like to do something a bit more "cultural" this time, but still hit a romantic and relaxing spot on a beach for a short bit.

Is 7-10 days long enough to somewhat tour the colonial towns of Central Mexico and hit a beach for 2-3 days???

I would LOVE any suggestions in regards to our trip...places to go, eat, see, stay...anything! I usually plan all of my trips on my own, but if you have any great travel agents or travel sites with package deals you'd like to recommend, I'd love to hear it.

Oh, we're married and in our 30s. Not into hostel-type accommodations anymore, but we still can't afford super-luxury

THANKS!

The place I am familiar with at that time is Oaxaca. Nothing shuts down, it is packed with people in the extreme, prices are up and reservations should have been made a long time ago for many hotels. I am referring to both Day of the dead and between Christmas and New years. On the other hand, the weather is great and there are things going on all the time which make it interesting. You just need to make your arrangements ahead of time. As far as getting around, busing is a great way to go. To hit some colonial cities and to go to the beach 7-10 days is cutting it short. If you went to the beach from Oaxaca or the area you are talking about you would lose a day or night traveling each way, plus your travel from Mexico to San Miguel is few a few hours, if you went back from that area to Cuernavaca and say Taxco nearly a day, plus time in taxis, bus stations, etc. I would pick the place you really want to go and concentrate on that. I would pick Oaxaca but is is 6 hours south of your initial plan. I would pass on Cuernavaca. Those that know SMA and Guanajuato will probably have some other ideas.

Suggest you consider the State of Michoacan with it's wonderful colonial & pre Columbian cities of Morelia, Patzcuaro & Uruapan. Patzcurao has a huge Day of the day observance with whole islands on the lake dedicated to the dead. It would be VERY CROWDED at that time however, First of the year is better,lots of small villages that each specialize in a native art be it weaving, furniture making, guitar making or other things are around the Lake at Patzcuaro. Uruapan is home to a fabulous National park that contains many Waterfalls, cataracts & foliage. There are a number pf PRE Aztec ruins in the state including pyramids & other structures of interest. A great stop is a city mostly buried by volcanic lava with only a church steeple sticking above it. Michoacan is also the winter home of the Monarch butterflies by the literal Millions! Weather is normally pleasant warm days of mid 60's & nights a cool high 40's. You could either do the beach at Playa Azul or even go on to Zihuatanejo but 4 hours by bus from Morelia. Zihua is a true beach Paradise that I spend 2 months or more each winter. Morelia the Capitol of Michoacan is a wonderful city of great architect design, a ancient aqueduct & possibly the best Zoo in Mexico. Check it Out!

Thank you all for your great information! I truly appreciate it.

Upon reading and researching a bit more, I have a new question...or two .

If you had to choose between a 7-10 day trip in the Puerto Vallarta/Costalegre area OR Oaxaca and Huatulco which would you choose and why?! Culture, costs, weather (NOW thinking sometime between mid-October to mid-November), beaches...? What do you think of Huatulco vs. Puerto Escondidio?

Again, my husband and I are in our 30s and this would be our 2nd Anniversary trip. We have traveled extensively in Europe, but have only been to the Riviera Maya in Mexico...Maroma and Playa del Carmen to be exact. We did NOT like Cancun at all (although only there for one night), LOVED Maroma, and liked PDC. We do want to experience romance , culture AND a beach.

I would LOVE any suggestions in regards to this trip.

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

There are a handful of upscale resorts, great beaches, fishing and many romantic places on the Costalegre, but not any significant "culture" (imhpo).
Also, more than a few small places are still closed in October and reopen for the season the first week in November.
www.costalegre.ca
www.tomzap.com
The Hot. CocoCabanas in Barra (actually Isla) de Navidad was a unique, if primitive, fun experience, and their Thai/Viet influenced food was near great.
In Tenacatita, recommend Mosca's on the beach (to the L entering town) for great inexpensive fresh grilled red snapper.
In response to your original question, I think 7-10 days from Mexico to the colonial cities of Queretaro; San Miguel de Allende; Atotonilco; Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajauto would be enjoyable at that time of year, but adding a beach trip to the itinerary would be stressful (for me).
The trip advisor forums (esp. for San Miguel de Allende) are fairly active with lots of feedback.
Patzcuaro is worth a visit, but the Day of the Dead is extremely crowded. Recommend the Hot. Mansion Iturbe and the Rest. Cha Cha Cha (next to the Basilica N.S. de la Salud) which has been described as the best restaurant in the state of Michoacan.
The mask carvers in nearby Tocauro are amazing.
M (SMdA, Gto.)